The new charities are in addition to the five she picked last year and reflect her "personal interests in supporting children and young people to build their skills, confidence and aspirations," her office says in a statement.

The new patronages are Place2Be, SportsAid and The Natural History Museum. More about them:

Place2Be works in 175 schools to help provide mental health and emotional support for children in largely deprived areas. It is a "natural follow-on" from her work with Action on Addiction, a palace source says. Benita Refson, chief executive and founding trustee tells PEOPLE, "She understands the importance of early intervention to prevent the issues becoming deeper. She will shine a spotlight on child mental health and development and raise the importance and value of early intervention."

She was inspired to become patron of SportsAid, which helps young disabled and non-disabled athletes achieve their ambitions, after her role in as an ambassador to Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. Chief executive Tim Lawler tells PEOPLE, "It's a game changer for SportsAid to have her. She is young, she is inspirational and from the very generation that we deal with. She is keen to be a champion of champions. When we met it was clear she wanted to explore how she could make a difference. That personal interest was very evident and she was really charming in the process."

And finally, The Natural History Museum reflects her interest in the environment and sustainability, and she visited the museum both privately as a child and in public last year when she opened an exhibit there. Kate also met a scientist from the museum when she was in Borneo with Prince William last year. Director of the Natural History Museum Dr. Michael Dixon said in a statement, "When she was here last November it was clear to me how much she shares our passion for understanding and maintaining the diversity of our planet."

At her visit, Kate said, "William and I are just two of millions of people who have passed through these doors, and marveled at the spectacular wonders of the natural world, housed in this beautiful gallery. I care passionately about what this Museum stands for."